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Then, sail the North Sea to the seaside village of Skagen, Denmark. Set off for Norway’s dramatic fjord landscapes, journeying from vibrant Oslo and history-rich Kristiansand to cosmopolitan Stavanger and spectacularly scenic Flåm. Likewise, the optional tours -- with a clue in the name -- are there for anyone who has a special interest, such as wine tasting, or is looking for an extra level of immersion. If you decide to stay onboard you will have a full-service experience in terms of food and drink and the chance to relax with a book or take a nap. Also, don’t forget to enjoy scenic sailing moments along the iconic Middle Rhine to enjoy the historic castles and hillside vineyards. Discover Nordic wonders by sea, then tour highlights of the legendary Rhine River.
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Paris to the Swiss Alps
The Rhine River can be a food-and-wine paradise and AmaWaterways is the best choice if you're a foodie or oenophile. All of AmaWaterways' European ships are members of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, a prestigious international gastronomic society. The line's intimate Chef's Table restaurant -- where all guests get to dine free once during their cruise -- also ups the gourmet credentials.
Save Money on Your Viking River Cruise
If you are going to pass on some of the shore tours and spend more time on the ship then a veranda cabin is a good choice. If you have mobility issues book a cabin closest to the elevators to avoid having to go up and down corridors to reach the lounge or restaurant. A Viking agent or specialist cruise adviser can help select the right cabin for you.
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If you're taking your first vacation on the Rhine take a look at Viking's selection of eight day sailings. They're a great introduction to the region and will leave you wanting to come back for more. Cruises include Viking's Rhine Getaway, which runs between Amsterdam and Basel and sails through captivating landscapes where Dutch windmills and tulip fields make way for German castles and vines. We dock this morning in Kehl and disembark for a guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. Dine aboard and enjoy free time this evening in the amiable little city of Kehl.
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Admire Cologne, the jewel of the Rhine, with its awe-inspiring Dom, and witness the lush landscape of the Black Forest region. Explore Holland’s famous windmills and waterworks, and encounter multicultural Strasbourg in France. Discover the enchanting landscapes and rich cultures of the Middle Rhine, a UNESCO Site boasting turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, medieval towns and stunning scenery.
Pre: Basel
More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. With daily included shore tours, and the option to book some additional for-fee tours, you can expect the very best excursions on Viking Rhine River cruise. As previously mentioned, river cruises are much more active than ocean voyages especially as there are no days at sea.
Spectacular scenery lined with fairytale castles and wine-growing villages are among the many highlights on the Rhine, making it one of the most popular destinations for a European river cruise. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the Middle Rhine—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region’s renowned white wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times. With calls in Amsterdam, Cologne and Basel, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture. AmaWaterways offers themed wine itineraries on the Rhine with enhanced epicurean experiences included in the fare. These sailings are accompanied by a professional wine host who leads onboard tastings and discussions and accompanies trips to local wineries and vineyards.
I enjoyed that it made me feel as if I was peeking behind the tourist curtain to get a more authentic flavor of each place, though some cruisers may find it a little too quiet for them. And with some tours starting at 8.30 a.m., be prepared for early morning starts which resemble the depths of the night. My voyage started with mild rainy conditions in the mid-40s Fahrenheit, but in just a couple of days this transformed to freezing, snowy sunshine with temperatures plummeting to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The atmosphere was lively and buzzing and I got the impression that crowds of locals had come out to make the most of this final day.
Day 6: Cologne (Köln) 🇩🇪
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However, since we docked in the late afternoon, time felt even more limited here than in Speyer. For your best first time river cruise experience, don't be tempted to miss the daily pre-dinner port talk about the next day's port of call and activities. Tour highlights of the legendary Rhine River and discover Scandinavian wonders by sea. See the charming canals of Strasbourg’s Petite France, admire Cologne’s famous cathedral and explore Holland’s iconic windmills. Sail the North Sea, visit Denmark and witness Norway’s dramatic fjord landscapes and scenic cities.
I actually decided to skip the included tour (a bus trip to the Black Forest) in the morning and walk across the French border to the village of Neuf-Brisach. I did this completely on my own; it wasn’t a part of the Viking itinerary at all. A standout feature on the ships is the glass-enclosed swimming pool which converts to a movie theater at night (complete with popcorn). Emerald Cruises also has activity managers that coordinate the shore tours and arrange daytime and evening programs. For starters, all of the major river cruise lines sail the Rhine, from Viking to Uniworld and AmaWaterways.
If you want to climb a church tower, I suggest going up to the top of the Notre-Dame in Strasbourg instead. This cruise began in Basel, a quaint little town in Switzerland right on the border of both Germany and France. If you can spend a day or two in Basel before your cruise, I highly recommend it. We booked a walking tour with a local guide (independent of Viking), and I’m really glad we did. After two long years of pandemic restrictions, Europe is fully open again! I’m lucky to have an extended family of fellow travel enthusiasts, and we’ve all been looking forward to a reunion vacation in Western Europe for a while now!
I enjoy drinking to be sure, but I would typically have wine with my meals and limit myself to one cocktail per day. I assume that most people flew out of Amsterdam within a day or two of ending the cruise. However, we stayed for five extra days in Amsterdam and met up with a few more family members there!
Viking allowed us to board the Hermod in the early afternoon, which gave us plenty of time to get acquainted with the layout of the ship. Our first dinner was served, and finally we were off in the early evening. We passed through our first of many river locks on this night, which is one of the most noteworthy aspects of a Rhine River cruise. With its culture-rich itineraries, Viking River Cruises is a popular line with older passengers. Viking places a big emphasis on curating tours that provide an authentic insight into destinations rather than just scratching the surface.
Even in summertime the weather on the Rhine can be changeable and you will be spending more time outside than you do on an ocean cruise. Bring plenty of layers, including a waterproof jacket, sweater and something warm to sit outside in the evening, along with a hat. Rather than purchasing the Viking Post-Cruise Extension, we opted to explore on our own. We were lucky to sail during spring when the tulips are in full bloom at the renowned Keukenhof Gardens outside Amsterdam in Holland. This sprawling botanic garden is filled with every varietal of tulips you could imagine among many other lovely flowers and things to do. Strasbourg, France captured my heart and has left me daydreaming of moving to this beautiful French town with a German accent.
If you've never been on a river cruise before -- or have previously been on ocean cruises -- it's hard to know exactly what to expect. Take a look at our list of mistakes to avoid and enjoy your best-ever experience on a Viking Rhine River cruise. From Speyer to Cologne (Day 4 to Day 6), the Rhine River is incredibly scenic. Viking did a great job of scheduling so that passengers could enjoy the view from the boat during the day on this portion of the trip. The vineyards, villages, and castles of the Middle Rhine are undoubtedly the river’s most unique offerings. The Hermod pulled into its first port of call very early in the morning, which meant we had a full day to explore Breisach, a small village in Germany.
Rather than feel overscheduled or tired, it is far better to study the itinerary in advance and decide what really interests you. Just because a walking tour is included it doesn't mean you have to take it. Starting in the Alps and meandering 820 miles through Switzerland, France, Germany and Holland, Viking's extensive offerings of Rhine cruises take in every aspect of this beautiful waterway.
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